WHAT an inspired signing former Saltaire wicket-keeper George Hicks is proving for Bingley Congs.

The gloveman only batted four matches for them in the Covid Cup last season but averaged 64, and already this season in the Mewies Solicitors Craven League he has an average of 57.

The latest Division One team to feel his pain were Barrowford, who were beaten by seven wickets at Beckfoot Lane.

The Lancastrians were dismissed for 136 after an opening stand of 64, with Danny Pearson (4-26) being instrumental in the collapse.

Hicks then scored 67, including 11 fours, adding 94 for the second wicket with Chris Dibb (44no) as leaders Congs reached their target in the 28th over to make it three wins from three.

Hepworth & Idle were among the runs at home to Foulridge, with opener Jamie Topham hitting 116 off 125 balls in their 254-4.

Topham put on 108 for the second wicket with Simon Raistrick (64), whose 48-ball knock contained six fours and three sixes, and 72 for the third wicket with Jonny Thompson (43).

Foulridge were never in the hunt after tea and were dismissed for 101, with Thompson taking 5-14.

The victors have now won two matches and are up to fourth, while Wilsden have an identical record and are sixth after a three-wicket victory at home to Ingrow.

Ben Mitchell (6-52) was a thorn in the side of the visitors’ batsmen as they were dismissed for 115, but Wilsden were then reliant on opener Glenn Stableford.

He scored 32 not out, enabling others to bat around him, with Doug Richardson’s 29 also vital as they won off the last ball of the 26th over.

Meanwhile, it has been a season of struggle so far for Haworth Road Meths.

Having shed a team in the spring due to a lack of players, they could only field 10 men at home to Embsay, who scored 203-8, with Andrew Maude taking 3-42 and Rehan Ahmed 4-49.

Meths were then dismissed for 127, with the top scorers being Charlie Hainsworth (30), keeper Charles Briggs (26) and Dil Nawaz (23).

Congs’ second team had been adapting well to life in Division Two after promotion but came unstuck at Skipton CI.

The visitors were rolled over for 71, with only three players making double figures, and CI won by seven wickets after an extraordinary blast by old foe Sam Smith, who hit five fours and three sixes off just 18 balls, scoring all 41 of his runs in an opening partnership of 41.

Bradford & Bingley Thirds could only make 88 at Denholme in reply to 235-8.

James Swallow took a creditable 4-49 for B&B, the bulk of whose runs came from skipper Andrew Dobson (33) and Lawrence Davis (31).

Eldwick & Gilstead fared little better at home to Long Lee, who scored 259-5 before dismissing the hosts for 120, Oliver Hall scoring 25 and Matthew Sharp 22 not out.

Hepworth & Idle II’s lost at Thornton-in-Craven in Division Three - their first defeat of the season.

Facing a home score of 205-6, they were back in the ‘pavilion’ for 123, Mark Davies top-scoring with 33.

Congs’ third team matched their second team in winning two of their first three - this time in Division Four.

They dismissed Bradley II for 87 at Sandy Lane, with skipper Simon Webster taking 3-32 and Ian Grange 3-16.

Congs were seen to an eight-wicket win by Sam Higgins (43no) and Simon Ricketts (23no) in an unbroken stand of 50.